3a Current Networks

This is for me a very interesting exercise, in considering the various ways in which we network, consciously and subconsciously, every day of our lives.

It is something vitally worth being aware of and I guess performers need to be near the top of the list when it comes to being able to do this. It is a very necessary skill of the trade.

My experience is as someone who has moved away from looking for acting work but I find whilst sometimes the networking isn't "make or break" and worrying totally about where the next job or food is coming from, it has had to develop, like branches of a tree that go off in different directions, taking many different twists and turns to accommodate slightly different ambitions. It has had to become ingenious and had to accommodate sometimes more, sometimes less rewarding interactions.

What I am really hoping this course will help me achieve, is an understanding of different methods, particularly on line, where I know my adaptability and my abilities are definitely challenged. 

As a part time Artistic Director part of my task is ensuring the group remains financially solvent, for without that it is impossible to sustain as practitioners, this kind of a theatre company and move forward to exciting and ambitious work. So part of my current networks will reflect my situation as an artist, in education and being involved in the running of an arts organisation. In mentioning these networks I am not seeking to put them in a definite order of precedence, because at different times it alters, given the situation.

Friends

As we all know, its difficult to describe on paper, the value this has and sometimes in the most unlikeliest of situations. Other bloggers have mentioned bars/clubs/theatres and other social get togethers or, quite often bump into`s.

There is nothing like bouncing and exchanging ideas off friends, who quite often share the same aspirations, maybe teach you a different approach, enrich you artistically, opening up opportunities you never thought existed. They are sometimes able to finance some of these ideas  and are not all necessarily from the performing business. These are face to face interactions, which I think from experience are to be highly valued, partly because positive body language is harder to read from a text and can be a powerful tool, if used effectively.
These are all networks that can build with the years, become very important artistic sustainability wise and be great fun! 

Phone

An essential networking tool, when leading busy lives, I still rely greatly on my address book of contacts and I do send numerous group messages by text/email and am increasingly using iphone capabilities.

Organised/agreed Meetings

I have to attend many, some I have actively instigated or been invited along to. I tend to be very proactive in setting these up but try and focus on whats to be achieved. Can be the bane of a lot of lives, if not organised well. I find though that very little would happen without them. I am talking agents, business funders, charitable sponsors, performers. Some seriously good results can happen if the right environment is created. You can also quickly be able to find who you can work with.

It could be I am planning working on a project in a certain community, so I meet with relevant people there and enlist there help. I can join up different agencies to come together and we are a stronger body.

Definite Minutes and action points are important., for memory, as well as moving things forward.

Rehearsals

Again, networking is happening all the time, between performers. There is a saying that you need to be aware of the next generation of performers, because as with other professions, they could be your future employer. A lesson for any particularly difficult Director.

Now on line media

Through various channels, including Spotlight, The Stage and other audition notifications.

Your own website, which leads onto;

Facebook, Twitter, Blogs, Flickr, You tube channels etc, where definite Web 2.0 principles are brought into play. My weaker area and one I really want to get a grip of. We have a website developed by a friend of a friend and it proves to be problematic in updating quickly but essential to do so.

Letters

Less frequently, but still appreciated in certain quarters

Paid for Adverts Banners, posters, adverts in paper media and google/facebook

Supermarkets I have literally unfortunately taken a group to perform in one and publicise a production. Although it did raise awareness and was financially successful perhaps not again, as a line should be drawn.

In Summary

I frequently enjoy networking and find it rewarding, although I would still consider myself shy.

One final thought on communication in general. We have found to our cost, in our small organisation that taking away proper channels of communication can lead to problems that will take even longer to resolve than if communication had been there in the first place. After all, it tends to be if the first misinformation has gone out unchallenged or unable to be effectively challenged, mud tends to stick, regardless of if its true or not, an example being certain tabloid disclosures.